Variable width conveyor



Dec. 2, 194 7. M. LIPTON VARIABLE WIDTH CONVEYEB 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Nov. 29; 1941 Jmwnumu W; in WEE Dec. 2, 1947. M. LIPTON 2,432,024

VARIABLE WIDTH CONVEYER Original Filed Nov. 29, 1941 4 SheetsSheet 3 'IIIIIII III III,

VIII/[III E VIII/IIIIIIIII/II ATTORNEYS.

M. LIPTON 2,432,024

VARIABLE WIDTH CONVEYER Dec. 2, 194? 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Original Filed Nov. 29, 1941 m I NK l JWbR IS LIPTOM Patented Dec. 2, 1947 VARIABLE WIDTH CONVEYOR Morris Lipton, Rutherford, N. J assignor to Sun Chemical Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Original application N vember 29, 1941, Serial Divided and this application June 27, 1944, Serial No. 542,295

4 Claims.

My invention relates to a conveyor means for transporting articles into, through and from a printing zone; more particularly, the aforesaid conveyor means comprises article-supporting chucks mounted on an intermittently movable disk and an endless conveyor movable step-bystep for receiving printed articles from the respective chucks.

In accordance with my invention, a conveyor comprising an intermittently movable disk as referred to above is combined with an endless conveyor which receives the printed articles and transports them from the printing press.

Further in accordance with my invention, the aforesaid endless conveyor comprises a pair of assemblies mounted on supporting members for transverse adjustment with respect to each other,-

each assembly comprising sprocket wheels and a cooperating endless sprocket chain.

Various other objects, advantages and features of my invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.

My invention resides in the conveyor, combined conveyors, features and arrangements of the character hereinafter described and claimed.

This application is a division of application Serial No. 420,948, filed November 29, 1941,

For an understanding of my invention and for an illustration of one of the forms thereof, reference is to be had to the acompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view showing the combined printing press and conveyor means of my invention;

' Fig. 2 is an end view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a transverse, vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged plan view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1;

Figs. 5 and 6 are transverse, vertical sectional views, partly in elevation, taken on the respective lines 5-5 and 6-45 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig, 7 is an enlarged sectional view, partly in elevation, showing details of my novel chuck; V

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view, partly in elevation, taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7 looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Fig. 9 is an enlarged elevational view partly in section, showing features of the invention.

Referring to Fig. 1, P represents a suitable printing press which is herein shown as comprising a base I on which is journalled a blanket cylinder 2 carrying an arcuate rubber blanket 3. Disposed adjacent the blanket cylinder 2 and in driven relation with respect thereto is a plate cylinder 4 which carries a printing plate, not shown, to which ink is applied by any suitable inking arrangement, not shown.

A printing arrangement of the general character hereinbefore described is illustrated in a detailed manner in U. S. Letters Patent to A. J. Ford No, 1,092,830. More specifically, the aforesaid printing arrangement is of the type under present commercial production by the Rutherford Machinery Co. and known as a Tube printing machine.

When the operating motor for the printing press P is energized, the blanket cylinder 2 is caused to rotate ina counter-clockwisedirection, Fig. 1, at a desired constant speed. Responsive to the rotation of the blanket cylinder 2, the plate cylinder 4 rotates in a clockwise direction, Fig. 1, to thereby apply an impression of the printing plate to the rubber blanket 3 once for each rotative cycle of the blanket cylinder 2, these impressions always being applied to the same area of said rubber blanket 3.

As shown in Figs. 1, 4 and 5, a shaft 5 is journalled in bearings B upstanding from an extension la of the aforesaid base 1. Under the control of the known Geneva Movement mechanism forming a part of the printing press, steps of rotative movement are applied to the shaft 5, each step of rotative movement, in the form of the invention herein shown, being through an angle of sixty degrees. Secured to one end of the shaft 5 is a disk I which, with the form of the invention herein shown, carries six chucks C of duplicate character as hereinafter described.

Each of the chucks C comprises a plate 8 secured to the disk 1 by a pin 9 and a screw 9a, or equivalent, Fig. 7. The plate 8 supports a member l0 which extends at right angles to the plane of the disk 1. The member ID carries two pairs of split collars H, H and l2, l2, each collar being held in a desired adjusted position on the member In by a locking screw I3. Each of the a slot through which the attaching screw I4 ex-- tends and these slots preferably being elongated so that the pair of bars I5 may be adjusted trans versely with respect to the member mwhile they are maintained in parallel relation with each other, Fig. '7. Each of the; bars: I;5-,when posirtioned as shown in Fig. 8, carriesLa. metal: roller I6 at the upper end thereof.

The screws I4 which are, associated with the. respective inner collars I I and; I2 secure bars ITI; thereto, respectively, the bars I I being adjustably mounted in the same manner as described above with respect to the bars I5. when positioned as shown in Fig. 8, carry the respective metal rollers I 8 at-the upper ends thereof and said last named end of? each of the bars I5 has an article-supporting. member- I9 secured thereto by; screws 20.

Asshown in Fig; 7,. the member ID, between the chuck C and the: plate 8,. has secured thereto.- a split collar 21% which comprises: a radial; arm 22 having; a passage within which is: clamped the shank of a bolt 23'having;ahead 24-.

The member ID; at theside of. the chuck C opposite the arm 22, has secure.d:thereto a split collar 25 in. which is clamped oneend or an arm 26 having a recess alinedlongitudinally withthe aforesaid bolt 23; Disposed within. this recess is an anti-friction structure 21, the rotatable.- element of which. has securedzthereto a. disk.28 utilizable ashereina-fter described.

Referring. particularly to Figs. 4? and' 5; the base extension la is shown as havin a pair of members 29 secured theretoandprojecting therefrom in paralleli relation, these members: 29 bein disposed. closely adjacent. the: periphery of the disk 'I, Fig. 1:. Carried by the upper member 29 are a. pair oftcurveditracksaflg the upper. ends of the tracks. 30 terminating in. the respective sleeves 30a which are freely slidableonsaid upper member 29, each sleeve 30a:being:maintained in a desired adjusted? position i by a: lockingscrew 3012. As shown in. Fig; 1; the tracks 30 extend downwardly and." terminate just short of the blanket cylinder 2.

Supported by the lower'member- 29 are a pair of curvedtracks 3| carrying, approximately midway between the ends thereof, the respective sleeves 3m which are freelyslidableonsaidlower member 29; each sleeve 3Iabeing maintained in a desired adjusted position by 'a lockingscrew 3Ib. The tracks 3| extend upwardly and t'erminate just short of the blanket cylinder 2. In addition, the tracks: 31 extend downwardly and terminate in a discharge position as hereinafter describedi In accordance witlrmyinvention, articles of any suitable character may receive printed' impressions. In general, such articles are containers: such as cans or bottleshaving side wall structures which receive the printing impressions and which are capable; inherently; ofresisting the thrust of the printing member without becoming deformed.- I have herein illustrated a bottle B as the article which receives the printing impression and as the term bottle is used hereinafter in this specification and in the appended claims, it shall be understood that the same is generically descriptive of true bottles, cans, containers or the like.

In operation, the disk I rotates by sixty-degree steps in a clockwise direction, Fig. 1. As each chuck C remains stationary in a loading position L, Fig. 1, a bottle B is deposited by an operator on the four metal rollers IE and I8 of that chuck C in the loading position. Each chuck C comprises a pair of the supporting members I 9 which serve to prevent accidental or unintended dislocation of the bottle B from the rollers I6 and I8.

After a bottle B has been loaded onto a chuck C, the latter moves to an idle position I, Fig. 1,

and then tolt'l'iepri'nting position P. While moving between thepositions I and P, the bottle B isopposite the tracks 30 which should have been so adjusted on. the upper member 29 that the vertical: surfaces 300 are opposite the respective ends, of the body of the bottle B. Accordingly, as the bottle moves from the position I toward the position P, the track surfaces 300 serve to prevent movement of the bottle from its-chuck in case that action should tend to occur.

Whenv the bottle 3- reaches the position P, it remains stationary in that position while the printing operation proceeds. While in the position P and as shown in- Fig. 4-, the surface or element of the bottle which faces the blanket cylinder. 2 should be tangent with respect thereto and should extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of said. blanket cylinder 2. The bottle is caused to take this proper position in its-chuck C by adjustment previously cheated on the chuck bars I5 and II.

The bottle 13 h'ereinillustrated is one which has a conical body and; therefore, as shown in Fig. 7, it is necessary to open the set of bars I5,- I! at the left to somewhat greater extent than the opening defined by the setof bars I 5, I! at the right. This is accomplished byretracting the locking screws I'3 of the collars II and II, adjusting these collarsciroumferentially, and lon- ,gitudinally if necessary, of the member II] to properly position said' first named set of bars I5 and IT; and'then tightening'said'locking screws I 3'. Should adjustment be required of the set of bars I5; I1 at theright; Fig. 7; that operation may beeff'ectedin' amannersimilar to that described above; Further, if necessary or desirable,.any or a1l:of the screws I4'may be retracted whereupon: any or all? of the bars I5 and IT may be adjusted with respect to the supporting collars therefor; After'thishas been done, the previously retracted screws I I should be tightened.

Assuming that the chuck bars have been properly adjusted in: the general manner described above, the bottle B, when in the printing position P; is supported as-shown in Figs. 4 and 8; The timing is suchthat, soonafter the bottle B takes this position, the printing blanket 3 of the blanket cylinder 2, whichrotates constantly in a counterclockwise direction, Fig. l, engages the bottleand causes the'same to rotate in a clockwise direction; Fig: 83 In so doing, the blanket 3'contacts with the entire outer surface of the body of the bottle B to thereby apply the printing representation thereto.-

As will be observed from' Fig. 8, the rollers I6 and I 8, in eflect. form av cradle by which the bottle is supported while pressure and rotative movement is appliedthereto by the blanket 3, The

glass wall structure of the bottle B is of such character that fracture or deformation does not occur as a result of the applied pressure from the blanket 3.

The bolt 23 and the disk 28 are positioned opposite the bottle bottom and top, respectively, so as to form stop surfaces preventing undesired longitudinal movement of the bottle while the printing operation proceeds. When the bottle is of conical shape as illustrated, the pressure of the printing blanket 3 causes the same to move from left to right, Fig. '7. In so doing, the neck of the bottle engages the freely rotatable disk 28 which effectively prevents further longitudinal movement of the bottle. With non-conical bottles, this action is not so important.

After the printing blanket 3 passes beyond the printing position, the chuck C containing the printed bottle is given two steps of movement by the disk I, the first step ending in the idle position I1 and the second step ending in the discharge position D. While moving from the position P to the position D, the bottle is retained in its chuck C by the vertical surfaces Me of the tracks 3! which are positioned in parallel relation with respect to the tracks 39 when the latter are positioned as described above.

It will be understood that the chucks C all have the same adjustments applied thereto for a given lot of duplicate bottles B each of which is to receive a printed impression. The disk 7 moves step-by-step in a clockwise direction, Fig. 1, and, after each chuck arrives at the position L, a bottle is deposited therein. The loaded chuck then carries the bottle to the first idle position I, then to the printing position P, then to the second idle position I1, and then to the discharge position D where the bottle is removed from the chuck. Thereafter, the last named chuck moves to another idle position I2 and then returns to the loading position L.

With the form of the invention herein disclosed, each bottle, as it is removed from its chuck at the discharge position D, is automatically passed onto a conveyor of a character hereinafter to be described.

As shown in Fig. 1, the base I supports a standard structure 33 and, in longitudinal alinement therewith, a U-shaped bracket 34 rests upon the floor or other supporting surface. Suitably secured to the bracket 34 are the parallel upstanding standards 35. Fig. 2. The standard structure 33 and the standards 35 have secured thereto in suitable manner a channel beam 36 extending generally in a horizontal direction.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 5, the channel beam 36, at the end thereof toward the right, Fig. 1, is shown as supporting a U-shaped bracket 31 having vertical arms which form bear ings for a horizontal shaft 38 carrying a gear wheel 39 at one end thereof. The gear wheel 39 meshes with a gear wheel 46, Fig. 4, which is carried by one end of a shaft 4| journalled in bearings formed in the aforesaid base extension la. The shaft 4 I, at the end thereof opposite the gear Wheel 46, carries a sprocket wheel 42 which is disposed in the same vertical plane with a sprocket wheel 43 carried by the hereinbefore described shaft 5. An endless sprocket chain 44 engaged by a tightener sprocket wheel 45, Fig. 4, coacts with the sprocket wheels 42 and 43.

As hereinbefore stated, the shaft is rotated in a step-by-step manner under the control of the printing press motor. The shaft 5, by the sprocket chain 44, rotates the shaft 4| in similar fashion and, by the gear wheels 48 and 39, the shaft 38 is rotated in step-by-step manner under the control of the shaft 4|.

As shown in Fig. 5, the shaft 38 carries a pair of sprocket wheels 46, 46 each of which comprises a member which is slidable in a slot 38a extending longitudinally of the shaft 38 whereby said sprocket wheels 46, 46 may be freely adjusted longitudinally of the shaft 38 in the manner hereinafter described.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 4, the channel beam 35, at the end thereof toward the left, Fig. 1, is shown as supporting a second U-shaped bracket 41 having a base 41a which, as hereinafter described, is adjustable longitudinally of the channel beam 36, said bracket 4'! having vertical arms which form bearings for a horizontal shaft 48. Carried by the shaft 48 are a pair of sprocket wheels 49, 49, each of which, the same as the aforesaid sprocket whee-ls 46 and 46, are splined to the shaft 48 whereby said sprocket wheels 49, 49 may be freely adjusted longitudinally of the shaft 48 in unison with the respective sprocket wheels 46, 46 as hereinafter described.

As shown particularly in Figs. 1, 4 and 6, the channel beam 36 supports third and fourth U- shaped brackets 50 and 5i which are disposed adjacent the respective brackets 31 and 41. Each of the brackets 58 and 5| carries a horizontal rod 52, these rods 52 serving as supports on which parallel channel members 53, 53 are freely movable for adjustment transversely of the conveyor.

As'illustrated in Fig. 4, each end of each of the channel members 53, 53 carries a plate member 54 each of which terminates in a fork-shaped end 54a freely receivable in a groove formed in the periphery of the hub of the adjacent sprocket wheel 46 or 49.

In accordance with the invention, the brackets 41, 51 and 50 have a pair of parallel shafts 55, 55 journalled therein, these shafts being disposed outwardly of the respective channel members 53, 53. Each shaft 55 has a pair of arms 56 secured thereto for oscillatory movement therewith, these arms 56 being located closely adjacent the respective brackets 59 and El, Fig. 1. The upper end of each arm 58 is connected by a pair of links 51 with an ear 53a formed integrally with the adjacent channel member 53. As shown in Figs. 1 and 4, each shaft 55 terminates in a worm wheel 58.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 4, the channel member 36 is shown as having a plate 59 secured thereto, this plate 59, at opposite ends thereof, carrying the respective U-shaped brackets 60 in each of which is journalled a shaft 6! having a hand wheel 62 secured to one end thereof, said shaft 6|, intermediate its ends, carrying a worm gear 63 which meshes with the adjacent worm wheel 58.

The plate 59, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, has two pairs of blocks 64 and 65 secured thereto by screws 66, or equivalent. The blocks 64extend above the upper level of the plate 59 and each block 64 carries a screw 67, the screws 61 being threaded, respectively, into passages provided therefor in the above described base 41a of the bracket 41.

The sprocket wheels 46, 46 and :9, 49 are longitudinally alined in pairs for the reception of the endless sprocket chains 68 and 68, respectively. In order to prevent theupper spans of the chains 68, 68 from sagging, bars 69, 69 are secured to the upper surfaces of the respective channel members 53, 53 by bolts I9. Similarly, to prevent the 9 less sprocket chain coactable with the longitudinally alined sprocket wheels, and means for effecting relative movement between said assemblies.

4. In a conveyor of the character described, supporting means, rotatable shafts and rods carried by said supporting means, said shafts and rods being disposed in parallel relation, 9, pair of assemblies, each assembl comprising a longitudinally extending member transversely slidable on said rods, sprocket wheels which are slidable on said shafts, respectively, together with an endless sprocket chain coactable with the longitudinally alined sprocket wheels, and means for moving said assemblies either toward or from each other, said last named means being operable to move said assemblies toward or from each other as desired.

MORRIS LIPTON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 1 Number Name Date 894,307 Zofnass July 28, 1908 907,790 Hancock Dec. 29, 1908 1,258,989 Craig Mar. 12, 1918 2,134,832 Morrison Nov. 1, 1938 15 2,307,976 Walz et al Jan. 12, 1943 2,345,937 Joa Apr. 4, 1944 

